Sciences Tutors and Counsellors who will be involved in citizen science and participatory research,

Sociocultural tutors and educators,

Future participants in our participatory research camps who wish to be more involved in the educational preparations of their camps, or parents of participant minors

Candidates who have applied for a position within the NGO Objectif Sciences International.

It is open to anyone who would like to be trained in science education, and it it is compulsory for anyone, regardless of their position, wishing to work with OSI.

Introduction

The Stage 1 training course in sciences education at Objectif Sciences International is designed for all professionals experienced in teaching and sciences education, as well as for novices.

The method developed and implemented by the NGO, Objectif Sciences International is unique and has benefited from the experience in this field that we have gained over the years, specifically: experience of implementing specific teaching and education methods during a real project, as part of our scientific participatory research.

This training course will allow you to optimize your methods in and knowledge about science education.

ATTENTION:

For all those eager to join the NGO, Objectif Sciences International’s Local Group in their country: If you want to join the Objectif Sciences International Local Group in your country: you have to register for this training course by following the instructions given in the “Registration” section further down this page.

For Teachers and Tutors: If you want to attend this training course and then use the knowledge acquired during this course in your work without working with the NGO, Objectif Sciences International: you have to register for this training course by following the instructions given in the “Registration” section further down this page.

For Future Participants and Parents: If you want to attend this training course in order to then contribute to the educational preparation of your own participatory research camps: you have to register for this training course by following the instructions given in the “Registration” section further down this page.

For those wishing to work within the NGO: not only do you have to submit your application before the Stage 1 training course (to do this, please follow the steps outlined in this section, but also you have to register for this training course by following the instructions given in the “Registration” section further down this page.

If you have already submitted your application, but you are not yet registered for one of the sessions listed below, we encourage you to register as soon as possible, by following the instructions given in the “Registration” section further down this page.

Already qualified?

Some people who have already been supervising or teaching groups with the NGO for several years, have been wondering why it is necessary for them to redo this training course.
This course is not “just” a basic or general training; these are the two days during which the NGO, specifically recognized by UNESCO and the UN for its specialization in sciences education and in the environment, will present you the result of over 20 years of optimizations in the Sciences, Nature and Sustainable Development Education and Animation, within the framework of Scientific and Participatory Research projects.

This training course is open to any adult who may be interested in pursuing a career in the field of teaching, supervision or education. It not only brings up new and significant information, even for the professionals already active in their field, but it also makes us reconsider the fundamental questions of the subject. Moreover, the techniques used by NGO to improve public access (children, teenagers, students, adults) to the knowledge imparted to them during the holiday camps, expeditions, field trips, and science clubs will be a novelty even for tutors already experienced in this field. Since 2005, when the current format of the training course was created, each time a session has been conducted, new ideas have been passed to the trainees and new cases have been brought up for consideration. So, since the NGO has created the first participatory research camp over 10 years ago, we are always one step ahead by updating and consolidating the course content using the knowledge gained from our field experiments.

This training course, led by the NGO’s executives who are familiar with putting in practice OSI’s educational methods, will introduce you to a world of new opportunities in terms of knowledge acquisition, in accordance with the principles of the project pedagogy. In fact, the educational techniques, that you will learn during this course, will always remain original and effective in helping you to achieve your educational goals. We put this to the test on daily basis thanks to our numerous trips.

Last but not least, it is this training course which will give you the tools to work effectively as part of the NGO through the respect for our methodologies that have been developed collectively in order to allow the team members to better collaborate with each other. This is why it is absolutely compulsory for anyone wishing to work within the NGO.

Credits

ACADEMIC or PROFESSIONAL EQUIVALENTS:

This 25-hour training course grants you one credit (Credits, ECTS or UV according to your country, which corresponds to 1 ECTS, for example, in Switzerland) in the areas of Education, Sciences, Didactics, Epistemology and Project Organisation.

Depending on your country of residence, this training course can be provided to you by your Employment Agency or a University Department (Postgraduate, Continuing Education...).

General Information

During this training course, you will have the opportunity not only to learn more about Objectif Sciences International (its history, projects and means), but also to get to know the other new arrivals to the educational team, as well as a few former members and current trainers.

This training course is a mandatory step for anyone who would like to start working in the network of activities conducted by the NGO Objectif Sciences International. You can do this training course either before, after or during your recruitment period in the teams. You can work in the OSI teams either as a seasonal employee or as a contractor billing the NGO (visit this site). In all cases, your participation in this course will allow you to receive the certificate of course attendance which is always requested in every science camp center around the world.

You benefit from a very attractive rate: For example, if the training was billed at cost price, you would have to spend between 500 and 1000 euros per participant on it depending on the number of people attending the same session. That’s how much the course preparation; its leading; the monitoring of your actions before, after, and during; the educational supplies, and the accommodation costs. However, luckily for you, the only payment required form you on top of your accommodation and travel expenses is a nominal payment for your participation in the course (see details below) . To reduce the travel costs, we will help you contact the people from the same town or region, so that you can carpool to get here. It is worth knowing that since this course is a mandatory step to work within the Objectif Sciences International teams, depending on your country of residence, it may be eligible for mobility funding from your employment agency or university (in this case you should ask us for a convocation).

Therefore, for a nominal fee, you will receive training in Science Education and in the organization of a Research Project conducted by the trained participants. This training and all the other information given during these 2 or 3 days will allow you to have a perfect understanding of the working environment which has existed with Objectif Sciences International for many years (25 years in 2017).

Following this, if you express a desire to join the Objectif Sciences International team in your country, obviously, you can do this, but you can also use the techniques learned during this training course in all other activities conducted elsewhere. In fact, the OSI’s educational progression is applicable in every domain.

Program and Content

To familiarise yourself with the locations and dates (registration), we encourage you to read the schedule of the next sessions below.
Depending on the country, it may be a two-day residential training course or a three-day non-residential training course.

Three-day training without accommodation

Arrival:

arrival the evening before

carpoolers’ arrivals

possibility of taking a shuttle bus from the nearest train station

First day:

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.:

First meeting of the trainees

Set up in the room where the training takes place

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.:

Official introductions of the participants

Co-construction of the program for two days

First stage of the training assessment; baseline assessment

Further presentations of the NGO, Objectif Sciences International, containing all the information necessary for trainees (content contribution)

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Break

Start of content related to the science education methods through projects applied to participatory research for sustainable development (but be careful and insightful... the training has started the previous evening and much information has already been presented at this point!)

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Break - Meal - Break

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Open Discussions

1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Next part of the training

2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Group work

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Break

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Next part of the training / Quick review of the next morning’s schedule

6:30 p.m.: Preparation of your dish for the first evening speciality potluck

Under the banner of sharing and discovering new things, each participant brings a regional or family speciality, or a dish discovered during their travels. The rules are simple: bring a dish for about 5 - 10 people, which can be cut into smaller portions, ideal for tasting.

If the course takes place in a country where alcohol is allowed, participants can bring an alcoholic speciality from their region or their family ... on the condition that as well as the alcoholic contribution they also bring a dish.

7 p.m:

Aperitifs (including soft drinks!)

Specialities potluck dinner

Each participant presents their contribution to the others along with any stories associated with it.

Complementary presentations from the NGO Objectif Sciences International containing all necessary information for trainees (content contribution)

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.: Break

10:15: Start of content related to the science education methods through projects applied to participatory research for sustainable development (but be careful and insightful... the training has started the previous evening and much information has already been presented at this point!)

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch break

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Tour of the building and its surroundings

1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Next part of the training

2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Group work

4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Break

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Next part of the training

6:30 p.m: Quick reminder of the plan for the next morning

6:30 p.m: Preparation time for your dish for the speciality potluck (Saturday evening).

Under the banner of sharing and discovering new things, each participant brings a regional or family speciality, or a dish discovered during their travels. The rules are simple: bring a dish for about 5 - 10 people, which can be cut into smaller portions, ideal for tasting.

If the course takes place in a country where alcohol is allowed, participants can bring an alcoholic speciality from their region or their family ... on the condition that as well as the alcoholic contribution they also bring a dish.

7 p.m:

Aperitifs (including soft drinks!)

Speciality potluck dinner

Each participant presents their contribution to the others along with any stories associated with it.

The meal continues throughout the evening.

Second day:

7:15 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.: Breakfast

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.: Clean Up

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Previous day training workshops recap

10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.: Break

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Next part of the training

12:00 p.m.: Collection of the final group assessments

12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Break - Meal - Break

12:45 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Last individual meetings

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Final training report

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Main round of the “Talking Stick”

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Further individual meetings

4:00 p.m.:

Departure of the first carpoolers who came from far away

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: departures for those not in a hurry
** In the following days, the course participation certificates will be sent out, which can be included in your professional portfolio

Third day:

You have the option of remaining at the training location for one more day in order to fully enjoy its charms, while having some free time to dedicate to your own project. Optional and Facultative Round Table + Start Up Your Project Workshop: For those who are interested, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) session will takes place on Monday from 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Participants will not be penalized for absence from this session; it is not required to stay the extra day. This additional session allows the participants to get the answers to their questions, based on their various professional projects within the NGO, or outside the NGO. We encourage anyone who would like to be part of OSI and who can stay one more day, to participate in this optional session. Our experience shows that it allows participants to immerse themselves in the projects of the NGO much more quickly. We can answer any questions from absent participants by email.

Content Details

During these 2 or 3 days, depending on your session, you receive 25 credits.

At each session, the topics listed below are discussed. The topics will be approached either in a detailed or a general way, according to the expectations, desires and ambitions of the trainees. All interesting questions asked by the participants are taken under the consideration because we are aware of their importance in improving quality of the course and its content. In this way, we can adjust our content to your needs, professional situations or concerns.

So, we give you an orientation map that allows you to look further into the topics that interest you.

Here is a list of topics guaranteed to be discussed during training:

Aims of the association

Network names of Objectif Sciences International

Organization charts of Objectif Sciences International

Working groups operating within the NGO

Associative status

NGO’s status

Consultative status to the UN (ECOSOC)

How to intervene in the evolution of the world

How to benefit from being a member of the association

How to join the association

Historical background of the association

Strategic positioning of an educational project and participatory research

From the immersion in the subject to the validation of results, approach and nuances

Project’s progression

Average week, reference framework for the professional education

To plan, to organize and to succeed in the educational activities - methodology of cooperation

Significant tools and documents of Science Education

Educational positioning

Scientific education’s components

From science tutor to sciences educator

Nonviolent educational methods

Collaborative learning methods

Project approach learning method

Research by practical research learning method

Productions and services that you can offer within the training

Working methods for educational, technical and logistical preparation

ATTENTION:

This event is not an information session, but a TRAINING COURSE which introduce their participants to OSI’s activities.

The distinction between an information session and a training course makes sense and is very important to us. We believe that in a certain designated time of a training course, you can do more than during an information session lasting the same amount of time.

While overcoming challenges, and participating in training workshops in groups, you will get lost many times but only to find yourself being able to better this situation later.

The purpose of this training course is to make you competent and independent in the field of science education through participatory research projects focussed on sustainable development.

Sessions and Registration

You must register yourself to participate in a session. All sessions are open to you, regardless of your country of residence. The locations of the sessions change from one year to another.

To learn more about the registration process, please expand the sections below.

Departure: on the third day of the training course, no earlier than 6 p.m.

Any arrival or departure beyond these hours risks not receiving their training certificate.

If you do not live close to where the Stage 1 Training takes place, you can stay with one of the more local participants. You will be able to precise your needs on the registration form.

Estimated cost of the training course:

A payment is required as a participation fee, which will serve only to cover the expenses generated by the organization of this session. Moreover, due to simple and effective organization, many expenditure savings will also be made.

The OSI NGO’s network, the Foundation for National Parks and WildeLife and K2W Glideways covers all other training expenses.

Registration fees (150 AUD, excluding accommodation and meals)

If you do not live in Sydney or close to Sydney, and you do not have any friends or family in this city that would be able to host you, we ask you to let us know this during the registration process, so we can put you in touch with fellow trainees living in Sydney

You should plan to bring your lunch with you

Registration:

To participate in this training, please complete the registration form by following the instructions on this site:

Following your registration, you will receive the invoice for payment of your participation fee as well as all further necessary details, such as the access map and the ways to reach the center (carpooling, train, plane if you come from abroad).

Arrival: the evening before, Friday from 4 p.m. to later in the night (for your information, the village has a train station connecting all major European cities) - Friday evening meal, served in the form of cold buffet between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Departure: no earlier than 4 p.m. on Sunday, from the holiday center. It is possible to organize a carpool of 5-minutes to get to the Lenk train station (more details will be provided in the registration form).

ATTENTION: For those who stay until Monday, a short snowshoe tour of the Valley "by night”, will be proposed on Sunday afternoon between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Access: It is possible to organize carpooling between the participants from Belgium, France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland (Spain and UK, see low-cost airlines). Ride sharing will be between the participants of the training course. After receiving the registration form, all the participants will be connected with one another. If not, the train will bring you directly to the Lenk Train Station from any place in Europe.

Any arrival or departure beyond these hours is associated with not obtaining the training certificate.

Optional and voluntary Round Table on Monday: There is an option of staying in the training location one more day to discuss any additional questions and to improve the integration with the NGO Objectif Sciences International. The meeting will be held in the morning, between 09:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and will be followed by lunch (departures will be after the lunch). This session incorporates the “Start Up your Project” tool, which you can also use for your own Project or your professional development.

You can come with your FAMILY, with your children (including infants) and spouse, from Friday evening. If you want, you can also stay there one more night until Monday, leave after a night of rest to simply enjoy the location! From Friday evening to Sunday 4 p.m., while you are taking part in the training course, your family can go about its business (mountain walks, relaxing, school homework...) and participate in meals with the whole group. You will have one room per family or per couple. From Sunday 4 p.m., you can organize your activities independently. Attention: if your family is present at the training location, it cannot affect your presence and concentration during the training.

Special Mountain: if you want to take the advantage of Lenk in the Bernese Oberland (3rd Ski Area in Switzerland!) to admire its mountain scenery, and to practice sports which interest you, you can arrive earlier and/or leave later. You can simply book the additional nights by making a request on the Stage 1 registration form to benefit from the special OSI rate in KUSPO Holiday Centre in LENK. This part of the stay is completely free and optional. You will be asked to confirm and then to respect the reservation terms, in order not to have a negative impact on the organization of the OSI team and the KUSPO Holiday Centre.

Estimated cost of the training course:

90 euros (95 swiss francs) per person for full board for two nights!

70 euros (75 swiss francs) of the nominal fee for participation in the training course (with a certificate issued by the NGO)

or a total of 160 euros (170 Swiss Francs)

Here, we would like to thank our partner for their financial contribution, which allows the trainees’ expenditures can be reduced.

45 euros (47.5 swiss francs) for an additional night of full board if you want to stay there one day longer in order to participate in the round table on Monday (Sunday evening meal, night, Monday breakfast + Monday lunch) - optional according to the individual projects

If you come earlier or you stay longer, the full pension includes a lunch on the slopes in the form of picnic.

Travel costs (plane, train, carpooling) - after registering you will receive the details about possible carpools

PAYMENT METHOD: you will get a link to the financial reservation of your place when you register for the training course (see below).

All other training expenses are covered by the network of the NGO.

Registration:

To participate in this training course, please complete the registration form by following the instructions on this site:

Following your registration, you will receive all further necessary details, such as the access map and the ways to reach the center (carpooling, train, plane...).

Accommodation

Our accommodation at Lenk im Simmental Valley is the KUSPO Centre. This lovely sports holiday center is fully equipped and it is ten-minute walk from a cable car. Thus, it grants us the easy access to the slopes during the winter and to the hiking trails in the summer. Moreover, it allows us to reduce our travel time between locations and our carbon emissions. Finally, you will be able to take a bus that goes to all the most important sites in the valley.

We use their spacious shared rooms with bunk beds. This large building provides us with plenty of free space in which to hold our activities, or just to wander around.

The meals served are mostly the typical, highland dishes from German and Italian cuisine. We are lucky enough to have a traditional fondue or raclette once a week (big cheese wheels which are then melted). So, our stay in the holiday center is held in a warm and familial atmosphere, in the heart of Swiss culture and overlooking the beautiful valley, which also hosted the space camp organized by the OSI for the European Space Agency in July 2016.

Description of locations:

This session, located in the Swiss Alps, will both train you in the Stage 1 Sciences Pedagogy and let you discover the location of some of the NGO’s activities - the famous Simmental Valley in the Bernese Oberland, the mecca of nature (outdoor recreation, wolves, lynx, deer, grouse, mineralogy, geology, archaeology - many opportunities for field trips, holiday camps during school holidays and short holidays during the school year; and science clubs activities).

Lenk is a mountain village located in the bottom of the wild and charming Simmental Valley in the Canton of Berne. The surrounding peaks rise above 3,000 meters, and some of them reach even 4,000 meters above sea level. In addition, if you decide to take an outing, in hiking boots or on skis (depending on season), you can even find glaciers there.

The mountain scenery is beautiful in the summer as well as in the winter. Whether you look out the window or you take a walk... the lakes, hills, mountains and high-altitude grasslands are stunning. The biodiversity that grows, runs and flies... from alpine flora to golden eagles, deer and other original crickets – they are all remarkable and abundant. Thus, it is the perfect place to learn to hike or how to deal with a campfire.